Redefining misanthropy for a fresh generation. Standard posts begin with a definition from Ambrose Bierce's The Devil's Dictionary followed by a modern adjustment. Miscellany on Wednesday and storytelling on Saturday.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Dissemble
DISSEMBLE, v.i. To put a clean shirt upon the character.
Let us dissemble. -Adam.
2006 Update: To camoflage frailty beneath a veil of folly.
Sar, I agree. A good start for the commenters, bad for the original. I think both Bierce and I are outdone. Better take the long way home.
Ariel, the first line of self-defense. The first 10 or so.
Quilly, it's the only way to know a politician is speaking.
Jamie Dawn, congratulations on being the first to mention Foley in a comment. I wondered if it would be a Republican or a Democrat. The biblical example is always good. You and Bierce.
Mule, I guess there's a fine line between dissembling and assembling.
Mireille, who do you think you're fooling?
CJ, that's what other halves are for, though, right? To insure that clean clothes hide vile bottoms?
Wow, yes, I am not even attempting this on a Monday morning before 9 am with that much brilliance already setting the standard. So I will wave to you all and move along. happy Monday!
ya know, i wish i had something better to offer, but after reading a's fabulous response, my mind is a complete blank (or at least that's how it looks from where i am!)
and, i'm not a hijacker in real life, but i play one in the Blogosphere. today, it's in hopes you guys will check out the new post on the Snark--and only because it rather nicely relates to today's word. (by my own decidedly skewed way of thinking)
so... "Gift-Wrapped BS" counts for nothing?? yeesh. tough room. you know, if i had a good retort i'd come back here and smack you with it. unfortunately, i do not.
5 DEMERITS?!?! It was 8:30 on a monday morning, and a holiday at that! I should be getting a reward for even showing up! See if i stop by to wave good morning again, HA!
Dissemble... hmmm, disguises for motivations, I understand pirates are all the rage this season.
In case you ever wonder why I have to make such a late appearance at your place, it is because I have to "THINK" when I come here. I can't do that easily during the day while at work... (hmmm, that didn't sound exactly right)...
I dissemble whenever I come here to your site Doug - ( dissemble: to put on the appearance of... (someone who is witty and smart - or someone who is not ignorant)and hope nobody notices.
Terry what was it about yesterday's word that made everyone so nervous. You people fake humility very well. Your coworkers are as smart as the editor of this site and I mean the birds.
Haha, g. Good one.
OK, Puppybrose, the five demerits are absolved. You too, Logo.
Quilldancer, I hope you're not telling me that my teachers saw through that.
Indeterminacy, that's certainly true and the reverse maybe.
Dissemble: to put the best of one's two faces forward.
ReplyDeleteWow, I thought your definition was good Doug, but I'm not even going to attempt to follow a's. That was awesome.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I'll have to think about this one as I head off to the bus stop wearing my sneakers in front my unsuspecting friends.
wow, Doug, I'm not sure I understand a single word of your definiton but it does sound beautiful.
ReplyDeletedissemble: self-defence.
dissemble political song and dance routine
ReplyDelete1. wolf in sheep's clothing
ReplyDelete2. Foleyesque
Dissemble: To arrange things as you wish them.
ReplyDeleteThe complete outfit, often including dress, shoes, purse, hat and coat. Oh. That's ensemble. Sorry! xoxo
ReplyDeleteDissemble: When my children are wearing clean clothes but have a dirty butt, usually after my other half is parenting!
ReplyDeleteA, A+
ReplyDeleteSar, I agree. A good start for the commenters, bad for the original. I think both Bierce and I are outdone. Better take the long way home.
Ariel, the first line of self-defense. The first 10 or so.
Quilly, it's the only way to know a politician is speaking.
Jamie Dawn, congratulations on being the first to mention Foley in a comment. I wondered if it would be a Republican or a Democrat. The biblical example is always good. You and Bierce.
Mule, I guess there's a fine line between dissembling and assembling.
Mireille, who do you think you're fooling?
CJ, that's what other halves are for, though, right? To insure that clean clothes hide vile bottoms?
Only two faces, a? Surely there are at least three ...
ReplyDeleteWon't try to beat either yours or Doug's.
Thanks, Sar and Doug, but shouldn't I feel a little uneasy defining a word like "dissemble" in a comment signed only with the letter "a"?
ReplyDeleteWow, yes, I am not even attempting this on a Monday morning before 9 am with that much brilliance already setting the standard.
ReplyDeleteSo I will wave to you all and move along.
happy Monday!
That was brilliant a.
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of username is 'a'? A good one from a Canadian perspective because we have a fondness for 'eh'.
Anyway, my definition is simple; to dissemble is to B.S., plain and simple and I sure see a lot of it when I watch the news!
Come on, O Ceallaigh, into the mix.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you should, a. Who are you, anyway?
Five demerits, Logo. A humble blogger is a liar.
Kyahgirl, you're as ironic as a.
whoa anomie! present company included?
ReplyDeleteKyahgirl: i was gonna say Gift-Wrapped BS : )
ya know, i wish i had something better to offer, but after reading a's fabulous response, my mind is a complete blank (or at least that's how it looks from where i am!)
and, i'm not a hijacker in real life, but i play one in the Blogosphere. today, it's in hopes you guys will check out the new post on the Snark--and only because it rather nicely relates to today's word. (by my own decidedly skewed way of thinking)
ReplyDeletepuppy- good one :-) I'll send Casper over to the park right away.
ReplyDeleteAnomie, my applause.
ReplyDeleteOK, Puppybrose 5 demerits to you. A's success is no-one's excuse. Git on it.
And 5 to you, Anomie. You got the blade in, now drink the blood. Nothing worse than a wasted wound. Check your scripture.
so... "Gift-Wrapped BS" counts for nothing?? yeesh. tough room. you know, if i had a good retort i'd come back here and smack you with it. unfortunately, i do not.
ReplyDelete*drops head in shame. shuffles out the door*
Dissemble:
ReplyDelete(1)To dismiss the troops, or adjourn a meeting.
(2)To not resemble one's sire. Also see, The Postman Always Rings Twice.
dissemble: to hide your political agenda behind an orange hat
ReplyDeletesee also: Tricky Dick
5 DEMERITS?!?!
ReplyDeleteIt was 8:30 on a monday morning, and a holiday at that! I should be getting a reward for even showing up! See if i stop by to wave good morning again, HA!
Dissemble... hmmm,
disguises for motivations,
I understand pirates are all the rage this season.
DISSEMBLE, n. Wantonly, or carefully, depending on your disposition, to take apart ... no, sorry, that's DISASSEMBLE.
ReplyDelete"Who's that you're dissing, you fat Irishman?"
"It's not a who, it's a what ..."
DISPOSITION, n. When she'd rather be on top.
Hey. I had to work today ...
Dissemble: House of Congress covered in gingerbread.
ReplyDeleteseriously, this is a weighty word to ponder on any day, let alone a Monday--and a holiday, to boot. that said, "tricky dick", VI?? good one.
Always such a stimulating place! Everyone's so good at this. I feel that I need some kind of fig leaf, or something...
ReplyDeleteOK, Puppybrose, that counts. C'mon back.
ReplyDeleteHurray for TLP! Nice resemblance.
Yeah, Ouch, Cindra Jo!
Haha, VI. Funny.
There ya go, Logo. I knew you were up to it.
O Ceallaigh, globa warming waits for no man.
OK, Puppybrose, I've had it! DISSEMBLE, v.i. To claim Columbus Day as a holiday while working from home.
Actonbell, this is my whole plan. To sell fig leaves on the web. Come to http://fruitofthetreeofknowledge.com/apparel
oh, yeah, here ya go,
ReplyDeleteDissemble,
to emulate a blog hose with the face of a heel(er) and the tongue of an ass (p).
mutter mutter
5 demerits, indeed...
Dissemble: To delete a blog, post by post.
ReplyDeleteBut it's been done! It's all been done...before (reminds me of a Bare Naked Ladies song. How appropriate).
ReplyDeleteoh, btw, ha. ha. Paradise--that's funny.
Okay, just click on the blue type. Not dissembling about the fact that I rarely get links typed in properly.
ReplyDeleteBoy am I glad I wasn´t around when that word came up :)
ReplyDeleteIt is offcially 1:35 my time and therefore Tuesday:) You are late!
Logo, I have to trust that was supposed to be blog nose.
ReplyDeleteIndie it takes longer that way. Tom is very efficient.
Actonbell, now that's Paradise Back Alley.
Minka, who but you picks a fight after midnight.
In case you ever wonder why I have to make such a late appearance at your place, it is because I have to "THINK" when I come here. I can't do that easily during the day while at work... (hmmm, that didn't sound exactly right)...
ReplyDeleteI dissemble whenever I come here to your site Doug - ( dissemble: to put on the appearance of... (someone who is witty and smart - or someone who is not ignorant)and hope nobody notices.
Dissemble - this year's new black.
ReplyDeletedissemble: the bullet inside that first bite of humble pie.
ReplyDeletedissemble all words following "but" in the statement, "I did my homework, but ...."
ReplyDeleteActually I think I got it backwards. To dissemble is to put a blog together, post by post.
ReplyDeleteTerry what was it about yesterday's word that made everyone so nervous. You people fake humility very well. Your coworkers are as smart as the editor of this site and I mean the birds.
ReplyDeleteHaha, g. Good one.
OK, Puppybrose, the five demerits are absolved. You too, Logo.
Quilldancer, I hope you're not telling me that my teachers saw through that.
Indeterminacy, that's certainly true and the reverse maybe.